want
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++want1 /wɒnt $ wɒːnt, wɑːnt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 desire 渴望 [transitive]WANT to have a desire for something 想要〔某物〕 I really want a drink. 我很想喝一杯。 What do you want for your birthday? 你生日想要什么礼物？ She’d always wanted to go to Thailand. 她一直想去泰国。 I don’t want Linda to hear about this. 我不想让琳达听到这事。 He didn’t want the holiday to end. 他不希望假期结束。 You can order whatever you want. 你想要什么随便点。 This shampoo is mild enough to use every day if you want. 这种洗发液很温和，你想天天用都可以。 If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’s not happy. 她要是得不到想要的就不开心。 He wanted that job so badly he was willing to kill for it. 他非常想得到那份工作，哪怕要为此去杀人他都愿意。 They desperately wanted a son. 他们非常想要个儿子。 What I want to know is when we’re going to get paid. 我想知道的是我们何时能拿到报酬。 All I want is the chance to prove myself. 我只想有个机会证明自己。 Oh thank you, it’s just what I’ve always wanted. 啊，谢谢你，这正是我一直想要的。2 need 需要 [transitive]NEED used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you 需要〔某物〕；要〔某人做某事〕 Do you still want these magazines, or can I throw them out? 这些杂志你还需要吗，还是可以扔掉了？want something done I want that letter typed today. 我要那封信今天就打好。want somebody to do something I want you to find out what they’re planning. 我要你查明他们有什么计划。make you want to cry/throw up etc (=give you a strong feeling that you must do something) 使你想哭/想吐等 It always makes me want to sneeze. 它总让我想打喷嚏。 What do you want with a tool kit (=what do you need it for)? 你要工具箱干什么？want doing British English informal (=need to be done) 需要做… The carpet really wants cleaning. 这块地毯真的需要清洗了。3 ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO somethingoffer 提议 [transitive] used when offering or suggesting something to someone 想要 Do you want a drink? 你要喝点什么吗？ Do you want me to come with you? 你要我和你一起去吗？ Want a game of chess? 想不想下盘棋？ Who wants a cup of coffee (=used to offer something to a group of people)? 谁要咖啡？4 should 应该 [transitive] spoken especially British EnglishSHOULD/OUGHT TO used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advice 理应，应该〔尤用于提建议〕5 what do you want? used to ask, often in a slightly rude way, what someone wants you to give them, do for them etc 你想要什么？〔稍显无礼〕6 ask for SB 要求见某人 [transitive]ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place 要求〔某人〕到来；要求与〔某人〕谈话；要〔某人〕到某地7 lack 缺少 [intransitive, transitive] formalNOT HAVE to suffer because you do not have something 缺乏，缺少〔某物，因而受苦〕8 if you want 9 who wants ...? DON'T LIKEused to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing 谁想要…？〔表示不喜欢某物，或认为某事不值得去做〕10 I just wanted to say/know etc used to politely say something, ask about something etc 我只想说/知道等〔用于礼貌地说或询问某事等〕11 I don’t want to sound/be ..., but ...but ... I don’t want to sound/be ... used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them 我不想显得…，不过…12. sex 性 [transitive] informal if you want someone, you want to have sex with them 想要，要〔指想和某人发生性关系〕13 want for something phrasal verb not want for something/want for nothingNOT HAVE to have something you need, or everything you need 不缺某物/什么也不缺14 want in phrasal verb informal 15 want out phrasal verb informal n COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery muchShe very much wanted to do the right thing.badlyHow badly do you want to win?desperatelyHe desperately wants his mum and dad to get back together.reallyDo you really want to succeed?justI just want to be left alone.phraseswhatever/anything you wantNow he can do whatever he wants.whenever you wantJoanna is happy for him to see his son whenever he wants.wherever you wantYou can park wherever you want.if you want (to)You can go if you want.get what you wantYou’ve got what you wanted, so you might as well leave.do what you wantYou can do what you want, instead of being told what to do.what I want to do is ...What I want to do is develop the skills I already have.all I want is ...All I want is a normal life.it’s just what I’ve always wanted (=used to thank someone for a present that you really like)Thanks for the bread machine – it’s just what I’ve always wanted.n GrammarPatterns with want• You want something: Do you want some more coffee? • You want to do something: Do you want to have some more coffee? • You want someone to do something: They want their son to go to a good university. • Want is not usually followed by a ‘that’ clause. ✗Don’t say: They want that their son goes to a good university.• You say I don’t want someone doing something, when this is annoying or causes problems: I don’t want other people telling me how to spend my money. You can also say: I don’t want other people to tell me how to spend my money. Using the progressive• Want is not usually used in the progressive. You say: I want to sleep now.I want some coffee. ✗Don’t say: I am wanting some coffee.• In spoken English, people sometimes say I’m wanting to describe their feelings about something that is happening right now or that they have just seen or heard about: Suddenly I’m wanting to know more about this man. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
want• You can go back to bed for a while if you want.• My parents moved out of London because they wanted a bigger house.• Major wanted chartered citizens to call Whitehall and get cones on clogged motorways removed.• And Lockheed Martin now wants clearance to export the new F-22 stealth fighter.• Do you just want clothes for your birthday?• He was obsessed with her and wanted her desperately.• Wiggins wanted his charges to prepare for the world of work.• What we want is a car that's cheap and reliable.• Do you want milk in your coffee?• I want some coffee.• Was it affection that made him want to agree, or guilt?• Stacey wants to be a doctor.• You don't really want to be a hairdresser, do you?• But you might also want to be bumped.• What do you want to be when you grow up, Clare?• Does he want to commit his whole life to her happiness?• He looked so cautious it made me want to cry.• What do you want to do at the weekend?• I want to see life, to travel the world, and write about what I see.• I want to stay here, with him, for ever.• I never want to work in a factory, having seen the effect it had on my father.• She wants Tom to come to her party.• He wants you in his office right away.• "I want you, " she whispered, "I want you now."All I want is• He hung up so hard that he banged his fingers. All I want is a damned appointment, he told himself.• I've got too much spirit. All I want is a little cottage.• Who cares? All I want is the end product.• Can you cook and sew and wash clothes, Jimmy? All I want is to learn to ride.want doing• He looks after the house and garden and helps my wife with anything she wants doing.Who wants• Human beings are not rational agents. Who wants to be a millionaire?• Who wants to be an inconvenience? Who wants to be in the way?• Deborah's reactions to all of this were no different to anyone else's. Who wants to be an inconvenience?• That's probably the worst sin. Who wants to be involved with a boring organisation?• Nobody I know. Who wants to go there?• Of course not. Who wants to talk things over after being physically subdued and humiliated?want to do something• I didn't want to ask the others, because they were nothing to Mam.• He wants to believe it true.• If you change into a leotard and exercise, young children will want to copy you and participate.• You really want to get your brakes checked as soon as possible.• Adam wants to go see a movie.• She wants to go there and see the world as others see it.• Democrats want to look into the entirety of campaign finance law.• Yes, this is how I want to look.• Besides, I wanted to put you in the picture.• Then again, anyone can throw in high allusions, and Munnery doesn't abandon the conventions he wants to subvert.want2 ●○○ noun 1 for (the) want of something EXACTused to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation 由于缺乏某物2 for want of a better word/phrase etc used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something 没有更贴切的词语/短语等〔用于表示找不到确切的说法来形容某事物〕3 not for want of (doing) something TRY TO DO OR GET somethingused to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed 并非因为没有…〔用于表示尽管某事没有发生或成功，但这并非因为没有尽力或没有所需的东西〕4. for want of anything better (to do) if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do 既然没有更好的事(可做)〔表示做某事只是因为没有别的事想做〕5 lack 缺乏 [countable, uncountable] formalNOT HAVE something that you need but do not have 缺乏的东西6 no food/money etc 没有食物/钱等 [uncountable]POOR a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc 〔食品、金钱、衣服等的〕匮乏；贫困7 be in want of something formalNEED to need something 需要某事物Examples from the Corpus
want• The expansion of the bus system satisfies a want in the community.• Yet it was hardly for want of trying.• People need to have freedom from want.• If taken without pay... the owners will be left in want and to suffer.Origin want1 (1100-1200) Old Norse vantawant1 verb →n GRAMMAR1 →n COLLOCATIONS1want2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
desire Corpus something have to a for
want
want1 S1 W1 /wɒnt $ wɒːnt, wɑːnt/ 
verb [not usually in progressive]
I really want a drink.
What do you want for your birthday?
She’d always wanted to go to Thailand.
I don’t want Linda to hear about this.
He didn’t want the holiday to end.
You can order whatever you want.
This shampoo is mild enough to use every day if you want.
If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’s not happy.
He wanted that job so badly he was willing to kill for it.
They desperately wanted a son.
What I want to know is when we’re going to get paid.
All I want is the chance to prove myself.
Oh thank you, it’s just what I’ve always wanted.
2. NEED [transitive] used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you:
Do you still want these magazines, or can I throw them out?
want something done
I want that letter typed today.
want somebody to do something
I want you to find out what they’re planning.
make you want to cry/throw up etc (=give you a strong feeling that you must do something)
It always makes me want to sneeze.
What do you want with a tool kit (=what do you need it for)?
want doing British English informal (=need to be done)
The carpet really wants cleaning.
3. OFFER [transitive] used when offering or suggesting something to someone:
Do you want a drink?
Do you want me to come with you?
Want a game of chess?
Who wants a cup of coffee (=used to offer something to a group of people)?
4. SHOULD [transitive] especially spoken British English used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advice
may/might want to do something
You might want to install anti-virus software.
wouldn’t want to do something (=used to say something would not be a good idea)
I wouldn’t want to come here at night.
want to do something
You want to see a doctor about that cough.
You don’t want to leave that – it’ll get wet.
5. what do you want? used to ask, often in a slightly rude way, what someone wants you to give them, do for them etc:
What do you want now? I’m busy.
What do you want – chocolate or vanilla?
6. ASK FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place:
You’re wanted on the phone.
Christine wants you in her office now.
7. LACK [intransitive and transitive] formal to suffer because you do not have something:
In many poorer countries, people still want basic food and shelter.
8. if you want
a. used to offer to do something:
I’ll come with you if you want.
b. used to invite someone to do something or to give them permission:
Join in if you want.
You can stay if you want to.
c. used when someone suggests doing something, to say that you will do it, although you do not especially want to:
‘Hey, shall we go to the beach?’ ‘If you want.’
9. who wants ...? used to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing:
Who wants to go to a noisy disco anyway?
10. I just wanted to say/know etc used to politely say something, ask about something etc:
I just wanted to check that the meeting is still on next week.
11. I don’t want to sound/be ..., but ... used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them:
I don’t want to sound rude, but I think you’ve had too much to drink.
12. SEX [transitive] informal if you want someone, you want to have sex with them
■ adverbs
▪very much She very much wanted to do the right thing.
▪badly How badly do you want to win?
▪desperately He desperately wants his mum and dad to get back together.
▪really Do you really want to succeed?
▪just I just want to be left alone.
■ phrases
▪whatever/anything you want Now he can do whatever he wants.
▪whenever you want Joanna is happy for him to see his son whenever he wants.
▪wherever you want You can park wherever you want.
▪if you want (to) You can go if you want.
▪get what you want You’ve got what you wanted, so you might as well leave.
▪do what you want You can do what you want, instead of being told what to do.
▪what I want to do is ... What I want to do is develop the skills I already have.
▪all I want is ... All I want is a normal life.
▪it’s just what I’ve always wanted (=used to thank someone for a present that you really like) Thanks for the bread machine – it's just what I've always wanted.
want for something phrasal verb
not want for something/want for nothing.to have something you need, or everything you need:
Say what you like, my kids never wanted for anything.
want in phrasal verb informal
1. especially American English to want to be involved in something:
You want in, Mike?
2. to want to go into a place:
The dog wants in.
want out phrasal verb informal
1. to want to stop being involved in something:
She was fed up and she wanted out.
2. to want to leave a place:
I think the cat wants out.
want2 noun1. for (the) want of something used to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation:
The gallery closed down for want of funding.
2. for want of a better word/phrase etc used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something:
They should behave, for want of a better word, decently.
3. not for want of (doing) something used to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed:
Well, if he doesn’t get the job it won’t be for want of trying!
4. for want of anything better (to do) if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do
5. LACK [uncountable and countable] formal something that you need but do not have:
a disgraceful want of proper care
6. NO FOOD/MONEY ETC [uncountable] a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc:
the chronic want and deprivation in the townships
7. be in want of something formal to need something:
The house is sadly in want of repair.
| I |
verb [not usually in progressive] Date: 1100-1200
Language: Old Norse
Origin: vanta
1. DESIRE [transitive] to have a desire for something:Language: Old Norse
Origin: vanta
2. NEED [transitive] used to say that you need something or to ask someone firmly to do something for you:
want something done
want somebody to do something
make you want to cry/throw up etc (=give you a strong feeling that you must do something)
want doing British English informal (=need to be done)
3. OFFER [transitive] used when offering or suggesting something to someone:
4. SHOULD [transitive] especially spoken British English used to say that something is sensible or that someone should do it, especially when giving advice
may/might want to do something
wouldn’t want to do something (=used to say something would not be a good idea)
want to do something
5. what do you want? used to ask, often in a slightly rude way, what someone wants you to give them, do for them etc:
6. ASK FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to ask for someone to come and talk to you, or to come to a particular place:
7. LACK [intransitive and transitive] formal to suffer because you do not have something:
8. if you want
a. used to offer to do something:
b. used to invite someone to do something or to give them permission:
c. used when someone suggests doing something, to say that you will do it, although you do not especially want to:
9. who wants ...? used to say that you do not like something or do not think that it is worth doing:
10. I just wanted to say/know etc used to politely say something, ask about something etc:
11. I don’t want to sound/be ..., but ... used to be polite when you are going to tell someone something that may upset them:
12. SEX [transitive] informal if you want someone, you want to have sex with them
| COLLOCATIONS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ phrases
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
want for something phrasal verb
not want for something/want for nothing.to have something you need, or everything you need:
want in phrasal verb informal
1. especially American English to want to be involved in something:
2. to want to go into a place:
want out phrasal verb informal
1. to want to stop being involved in something:
2. to want to leave a place:
| II |
noun1. for (the) want of something used to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation: 2. for want of a better word/phrase etc used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something:
3. not for want of (doing) something used to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed:
4. for want of anything better (to do) if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do
5. LACK [uncountable and countable] formal something that you need but do not have:
6. NO FOOD/MONEY ETC [uncountable] a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc:
7. be in want of something formal to need something:
Would you like…? is the most usual polite question form for offers and invitations, especially inBrE * Would you like ...? 是最常见的礼貌提议和邀请疑问式，尤用于英式英语 ：◆ Would you like a cup of coffee? 喝杯咖啡好吗？ Do you want…? is less formal and more direct. It is more common inNAmE BrE * Do you want ...? 较非正式且更直接，在美式英语中比在英式英语中常见 ：◆ We're going to a club tonight. Do you want to come with us? 今晚我们要去俱乐部，你想和我们一起去吗？ Would you care…? is very formal and now sounds old-fashioned.* Would you care ...? 很正式，听起来显得过时。
Would you like…? is the most usual polite question form for offers and invitations, especially inBrE * Would you like ...? 是最常见的礼貌提议和邀请疑问式，尤用于英式英语 ：◆ Would you like a cup of coffee? 喝杯咖啡好吗？ Do you want…? is less formal and more direct. It is more common inNAmE BrE * Do you want ...? 较非正式且更直接，在美式英语中比在英式英语中常见 ：◆ We're going to a club tonight. Do you want to come with us? 今晚我们要去俱乐部，你想和我们一起去吗？ Would you care…? is very formal and now sounds old-fashioned.* Would you care ...? 很正式，听起来显得过时。
especially